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Victorious is Vyāsa, son of Parāśara and delight of Satyavatī’s heart, from whose lotus-mouth the world drinks the nectar of speech.

Ugraśravā, the son of Lomaharṣaṇa, a bard and knower of the Purāṇas, (was present) in the twelve-year sacrificial session of Śaunaka, the chief of the lineage, in the forest of Naimiṣa.

Once, the son of the Sūta, bowing humbly, approached the Brahmarṣis, who were seated and firm in their vows.

The ascetics dwelling in Naimiṣāraṇya gathered there around him, who had arrived at the hermitage, desiring to hear various stories.

Having saluted all those sages with folded hands, he inquired about the growth of their austerities, and was warmly welcomed by the virtuous ones.

Then, when all the ascetics had seated themselves, Lomaharṣaṇa's son, out of humility, took the seat that was designated for him.

Then, observing him comfortably seated and rested, a certain sage there asked him, introducing various stories.

From where have you come, O son of a Sūta, and where have you spent this time? O lotus-eyed one, tell this to me as I ask.

The Sūta said: At the snake sacrifice of the great-souled royal sage Janamejaya, in the proper presence of the king of kings, the son of Parīkṣit.

The highly meritorious and various stories spoken by Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa) were also properly narrated by Vaiśampāyana.

I know all the Vyāsa-derived stories, composed with dharma and artha. I shall tell them to you, best of the twice-born; listen today, ascetics rich in austerity.

Having compiled the eternal Veda through austerity and disciplined life, the son of Satyavatī composed this meritorious history (Mahābhārata).

Having composed that foremost narrative, lord Dvaipāyana reflected: 'How shall I teach it here to my disciples?'

Knowing that thought of the sage Dvaipāyana, blessed Brahmā, teacher of the world, came there himself.

For the sage's pleasure and desiring the welfare of the worlds, he came; seeing him, Vyāsa was amazed and stood bowed with joined palms.

Surrounded by all the hosts of sages, he prepared a seat.

When Hiraṇyagarbha had taken that supreme seat, Vāsaveya stood nearby, having approached the seat.

Then Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, permitted by Brahmā Parameṣṭhin, sat near the seat, delighted and pure-smiling.

The mighty one said to Brahmā Parameṣṭhin: 'Blessed lord, I have composed this highly revered poem.'

Because of your knowledge of secrets, I consider you superior even to the great sage Vasiṣṭha, distinguished in austerity.

From birth I know your speech to be true and declarative of Brahman; since you have called it a poem, a poem it shall be.

For the writing of this poem, remember Gaṇeśa, O sage.

Having addressed him thus, Brahmā, the creator of the world, went to his own abode together with hosts of seers and gods.

Then Vyāsa, son of Satyavatī, remembered Heramba.

Gaṇeśa, fulfiller of devotees' wishes, came as soon as he was remembered; Vighneśa arrived where Vedavyāsa stood.

Honoured and seated, the sinless one was told by Vyāsa: 'Be the scribe of this Bhārata, O leader of the gaṇas, as I recite what has been conceived in my mind.'

Hearing this, Vighneśa said: 'If my pen does not stop even for a moment while I write, then I shall be your scribe.'

Vyāsa said to the god: 'Do not write anything without understanding it.' Saying 'Om,' Gaṇeśa then became the scribe.

Then the sage, out of curiosity, made knotty verses with hidden meaning; on that condition sage Dvaipāyana declared the following.

There are eight thousand verses and eight hundred; I know them, Śuka knows them, and Sañjaya may or may not know them.

Even today that knot of verses is tightly bound, O sage; it cannot be broken because of the depth and hiddenness of its meaning.

While even omniscient Gaṇeśa paused for a moment to consider them, Vyāsa composed many other verses.

Having been asked by Janamejaya and thousands of Brāhmaṇas, the sage instructed his disciple Vaiśampāyana, who was seated nearby.

He, seated along with the ritual participants, recited the Bhārata during the intervals of the sacrifice, being urged again and again.